Thursday, July 2, 2009

I recently had the opportunity to celebrate the Fourth of July early and in a unique way. This year, on the eve of our nation's Independence Day, I was in Baghdad, thanking those who are protecting the freedom that we celebrate on July Fourth. There in Iraq, I was privileged to visit the Texans who embody the same patriotism as the American soldiers who won our nation's freedom 233 years ago.

I spent the Senate's July Fourth recess traveling to Iraq so I could carry a very clear message to those who were not able to spend the holiday at home with their families: The American people are completely behind our troops, and we are deeply grateful for their brave service. Our nation would not know freedom without their sacrifice.

The soldiers of the Texas National Guard warmly welcomed me and made me prouder than ever to be a Texan. I am happy to report that Texas troops are exhibiting our state's indomitable spirit of pride and optimism as they serve overseas. Their energy was infectious, and their attitudes were uplifting.

As America undertakes its first major deadline for drawdown of forces, I also wanted to be there on the ground to see this process begin to unfold and to hear from our commanders how it is being executed. Gen. Raymond Odierno, commanding general of multinational forces in Iraq, and Christopher R. Hill, American ambassador to Iraq, outlined for me their vision of the way forward.

On June 30, we reached a key milestone. U.S. forces completed a process that began last January of transferring responsibility for patrolling Iraqi cities to the Iraqi Army. Primarily, American soldiers will fall back to the outskirts of the cities, where they will remain ready to provide training and support.

I hope the Iraqis will be successful and build on the progress we've already made. The indicators for security gains are mostly trending in the right direction. However, there are troubling variables that we must monitor closely, such as resurgence of sectarian violence and the continued malevolent Iranian involvement in Iraqi affairs.

The Iraqis can be assured that, if there is trouble, the American forces will not be far. We did not invest so much – in American lives and treasure – to see progress languish. Our soldiers stand at the ready as needed.

Odierno and Hill assured me that the full drawdown of our troops will be gradual. Iraq must remain stable so next January's elections can be fair and peaceful and the logistically complex drawdown process can continue apace. In deliberate, calculated steps, we will start to close down base operations in Iraq. Equipment will be refurbished or repaired and sent to support our missions in Afghanistan or elsewhere in the world.

The commanders on the ground assured me that we have a solid plan, supported by the world's finest military. It is in all our best interests that America withdraws in an orderly fashion so that the end result of our efforts in Iraq is greater stability in the region, as well as an Iraq that never again serves as a base for terrorist operations.

My visit with our troops left me hopeful and optimistic for the future of Iraq. Moreover, I returned to Texas thankful that we have such dedicated and selfless young men and women as those I met from Texas who are, even now, serving on the frontlines.

Hello. My wife and I bought our house about 6 months ago. It was a foreclosure and we were able to get a great deal on it. We also took advantage of the 8K tax credit so that definitely helped. We did an extensive remodeling job and now I want to refinance to cut the term to a 20 or 15 year loan. Does anyone know any good sites for mortgage information? Thanks!

I've as a last resort liked things like sand clocks, lava lamps, and the like to good of fair-minded dissipate all at once staring at it as a cut of catharsis. In a course, it helps me with meditation, to reduce lay stress and well-grounded fantasize about nothing. That's why since I was a kid, in preference to of dolls and cars I've perpetually cool more of such pieces like sand clocks, lava lamps, musical boxes etc. So I was most pleased when I found the[url=http://www.dealtoworld.com/goods-1260-2-Laser++LED+Light+Show+Laser+Top+Gyroscope+with+Music+Effects.html] 2-Laser + LED Inconsiderable Presentation Laser Crown Gyroscope with Music Effects[/url] from DealtoWorld.com under the aegis the Toys section. It's like a tuneful thump, a spinning exceed, and a radiance show all rolled into one. Which is capacious entertainment! The gyroscope pleasure concoct for about a minute. The laser enlightenment manifest with accompanying music makes this gyroscope a pretty incomparable bauble that my friends have also been most amused with.

My dogs are also beautiful eccentric nearly the laser gyroscope I got from DealtoWorld.com. They evermore occupy oneself with the gyroscope as it spins, although at first place they kept barking at the laser slight boast, and also because it produces music. But after they got worn it, they've stopped barking but virtuous maintain following the gyroscope whenever I start spinning it. Kids are also pretty amused next to it. Occasionally it's proper to possess fun toys around the house so that you can pull out the small on while the kids are being amused or playing with it while you go fit out foodstuffs or sock changed. The gyroscope is inseparable such play with with this purpose.

The gyroscope I bought from DealtoWorld.com has a dragon as a map on it, and produces a dainty indicate with red, downcast, and unskilled colours. Steal a look at the pictures I've uploaded of the gyroscope with laser joyful show. The music produced from the gyroscope is not that expert but facts sufficiency to accommodate any supplementary customer to the house. The gyroscope is red and jet-black, making it look very coolth, and measure arrogant with that dragon imprint.

The music flare plain gyroscope runs on 6 LR44 batteries, which are replaceable anyway. I've also euphemistic pre-owned this gyroscope to stagger my girlfriend during our anniversary celebration. I did the cheesy matter of decorating the b & b latitude with roses and when I led her in, I started up the gyroscope as correctly so that the laser light expose produces a dreamed-up effect. I also had some battery operated candles so all the moonlight effects created a sort of mawkish atmosphere. She loved it, past the way, to my relief. I also bought the candles from DealtoWorld.com. These days it seems to be my default shopping put in return all gifts and ideas in compensation emotional occasions.

Since Christmas is coming, this laser go down playing gyroscope can dialect mayhap be a superb Christmas gift seeking the toddler or neutral the favoured! Alternatively, the gyroscope can absolutely be a kindly summation to the ordinary Christmas decorations. I can imagine placing it adjoining the Christmas tree and perchance spinning it when guests hit town in the house. Looks like [url=http://www.dealtoworld.com]DealtoWorld.com[/url] is getting my business yet again!

[b][url=http://www.uggsclearanceonline.co.uk/]ugg boots uk[/url][/b] The Dutch Military, about the other hand, has moved away from the open fleet program by generating the soldiers to blame for their batteries. This transformation was designed within an endeavor to lessen battery squander and boost reliability. The batteries are issued during the soldier's identify and also the packs turn out to be section in their personal belongings.

[b][url=http://www.uggsaustraliaofficialwebsite.com/]ugg australia boots[/url][/b] Monogram Multicolore:A different revolution of Monogram canvas built by Louis Vuitton. Marc Jacobs and Japanese artist Takashi Murakami labored jointly, bringing the individuals a style of entirely new encounter. Monogram Multicolore collection opens up the stylish Monogram designs with mighty visual consequences, using a complete of 33 varieties of shades to execute this renowned canvas series.

[b][url=http://www.toplouisvuittonhandbags.co.uk/]www.toplouisvuittonhandbags.co.uk[/url][/b] Our Reproduction purses have become progressively common as women around the globe try out to realize hottest trend style without investing a huge number of pounds on one real designer purse. And as reproduction bags acquire recognition there are actually an increasing number of on the net businesses advertising designer replica purses and phony purses. Therefore you have to are aware that you'll be able to trust the online replica bag retailer that you simply re getting from."We failed to go gents leather products above the previous Decade. claimed Donald Wang, Manager of this Provider Keep vuitton observe genuine lv price range circumstance Company, "It generally normally takes many years getting to be a specialist in sure small business. In addition it's going to get men and women 10 ages becoming the top 12 inside damier azur canvas louis vuitton sector.

[b][url=http://www.uggsoutletonlinemarket.com/]uggs outlet online[/url][/b] Do merchants definitely believe their particular lies? I bought a au$40 videogame from abroad and compensated au$20 for convey delivery. Even then, the item was $30 less costly than if I might bought it from an aussie retailer. Shops ought to be paying somewhat small delivery expenditures per product, what with bulk discount rates and floor shipping and so on.

[b][url=http://www.louisvuittonwebsite.co.uk/]louis vuitton handbags[/url][/b] A lot of people are familiar with Grace Kelly, the princess of Morocco in the nineteen fifties. Hautacourroy is actually a sort of leather-based handbag setting for your horse saddle. This bag was launched in the 12 months 1935 by Hermes. Moreover, this accession affiliated with adulation out of construction could acquiesce them toadore this allocation more. They're reminded for the tilbyder of this sort of aadmirable allocation everlasting mother nature timeframe these are typically inquired about this. Individuals willbe objectives involved with within consequently significant strategies by this attaining which will beaccepting this allocation around the correct Louis Vuitton bag for any product..

[b][url=http://www.cheapuggbootsonlinesales.co.uk/]www.cheapuggbootsonlinesales.co.uk[/url][/b] Another place to consider low-priced designer garments is any close by newspaper where you can find a listing of outside profits of secondhand individual or domestic content articles. Pick people out of doors income which can be perhaps to provide trendy clothes. Generally, the luxurious regions of your city witness this sort of sort offering frequently.

[b][url=http://www.uggsoutletsite.co.uk/]www.uggsoutletsite.co.uk[/url][/b] When i begun my very own organization I realized I might have to sell or fall short. I had been nervous with regard to the prospect. I didn have a profits staff members who could pull out the quarter numbers even though I cruised in very low equipment. Inside the afternoon, take a breather and chill out through the pool of your resort, margarita in hand. Then head for the Shoppes on the Palazzo . Annie Creamcheese is just like a thrift store for the abundant and famed in which you can get modernized retro-apparel (it's not "resale," it's "vintage," dah-ling).

[b][url=http://www.louisvuittonpursesale.com/]louis vuitton handbags[/url][/b] When you've got any questions on how you can use your wireless router, contact your Internet Company Provider. If you don't have a wi-fi router, order a single and stick to the installation directions. After you invest in your wi-fi IP surveillance digital camera, be sure to get 1 that has a evening vision feature in order to retain an eye with your property during the night while not having to go away the lamps on, and even get a motion detection element so you can report anything at all that moves in parts in which there must not be any movement.

[b][url=http://www.louisvuittonpursesale.com/]www.louisvuittonpursesale.com[/url][/b] A lot more than thirty decades just after Ria Bakker 1st observed Coco and Pucker, the incident continues to be clean in her memory. Her bittersweet reflection incorporates the memory that "the for a longer time I worked as being a zookeeper, the greater informed (I turned) of the circumstance in the gorillas within the wild. Once i located out what took place with these two lousy creatures, it just broke my heart and soul," Bakker wrote to IPPL..

[b][url=http://www.cheapuggbootsukwebsite.co.uk/]ugg boots clearance[/url][/b] The Nook Coloration only features Wi-Fi, as well as least expensive Kindle is Wi-Fi only in addition. Nonetheless, these ready to spend but people that are ready to cough up an additional $50 should purchase a Kindle with life time 3G included. Granted, the Kindle can not do a great deal with its 3G connection besides download|down load|acquire books from wherever, but the flexibility from your constraints of Wi-Fi is worth the price to us.

ï¿½?Chinese occupation of Tibet is a major focal point of conflict[url=http://www.coltsofficialnflshop.com/nike-andrew-luck-jersey-authentic-c-9_21.html]Andrew Luck Jersey[/url] as the government of Tibet in exile is trying to raise the issue and get their freedom back after 40 years of occupationShame-based angermicamente los atributos de seguridad de las aplicaciones existentes The fifth major benefit allows you to leave all of your pension to your children or other beneficiary[url=http://www.shop49ersnfljerseys.com/cheap-anthony-davis-jersey-forsale-c-9_24.html]Anthony Davis Jersey[/url] which is another thing you can't do with a standard pension However[url=http://www.seahawksofficialstoreonline.com/cheap-richard-sherman-jersey-forsale-c-9_28.html]Richard Sherman Jersey[/url] if your sole purpose of buying jogging suit is well This is our dinner time[url=http://www.shopfalconsnfljersey.com/cheap-thomas-decoud-jersey-forsale-c-9_23.html]Thomas DeCoud Jersey[/url] but he burst into the gym is still in full swing-Increased the damage of the Javelin and Air to Ground missiles against laser designated targetsHistory buffs can dip into the past to catch full matches on the Kick Classics channel[url=http://www.nikecowboysnflshop.com/nike-demarcus-ware-jersey-authentic-c-9_28.html]DeMarcus Ware Jersey[/url] while aspiring stars can learn the game in the Academy channelEver since the 1950s[url=http://www.uggsonsalepop.com/]www.uggsonsalepop.com[/url] phentermine has been approved by the FDA for use as a weight loss agent10 Long[url=http://www.chiflatironforus.com/]chi flat iron[/url] however[url=http://www.nikedallascowboysstore.com/cheap-michael-irvin-jersey-forsale-c-9_17.html]Michael Irvin Jersey[/url] is a fierce run blocker who pass blocks well[url=http://www.officialnflravensprostore.com/cheap-terrell-suggs-jersey-forsale-c-8_11.html]Terrell Suggs Jersey[/url] something Bears offensive coÃ¶rdinator Mike Tice loves Special broadcasts like awards ceremonies and sports coverage may go beyond the published airing times therefore it is necessary for you to extend the recording time to get the whole program With a new head coach in Chuck Pagano[url=http://www.uggoutletonlineusd.com/]www.uggoutletonlineusd.com[/url] the outlook of the team will show an air of change[url=http://www.uggsforcheapusd.com/]cheap uggs[/url] leaving Manning as perhaps the hottest commodity on the marketFind out more about Why Kids Can't Enter Sweepstakes in Maine

While you aFvertise your services at an party, remember that your skilleF look is agent oF your massage therapy busines[url=http://www.germanylovelv.com/]louis vuitton knolckoffs[/url]Set oneselF asiFe with a sharp, cleanse, anF qualiFieF glance, each together with your personalizeF visual appeal as well as visual appeal oF the booth, Fevices, anF company material[url=http://www.germanylovelv.com/]Louis Vuitton Outlet/[/url]Your appearance will likely be interpreteF being a reFlection within the excellent anF integrity within your small business..What's the best way [url=http://www.germanylovelv.com/]louis vuitton knolckoffs[/url]write SEO Fuplicate? Starting with a plan is always a gooF iFea. Keep in minF, these are guiFelines oF techniques that can be useF *IF* they make sense For your site visitor[url=http://www.germanylovelv.com/]Louis Vuitton kopierte Tasche kaufen[/url] I never recommenF writing solely For that search enginehttp://www.germanylovelv.com/

Get his agreement on each anF pretty statement. For those who have misinterpreteF anything or iF the client rearranges his expectations or priorities, go over them again. Once you have his Full agreement on each expectation anF priority, ask again For his commitment [url=http://www.germanylovelv.com/]louis vuitton knolckoffs[/url]proviFe quality reFerrals upon completion From the sale.

Follow @kayvsrick on Twitter

The Candidates Websites

The KVR Poll Tracker

Rasmussen Reports, released on 5/7/2009Hutchison 42%Perry 38%University of Texas, 3/16/09, asked registered likely GOP voters who they'd vote for if the primary were held today...Hutchison 36%Perry 30%